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By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News SULLIVAN COUNTY - Police are warning the public to be alert to ongoing scams targeting elderly victims. Indiana State Police Sgt. Joe Watts explained a particulary concerning current scam is known locally as "The Jail and Bail Scam." In fact, two Sullivan County victims recently lost a total of $26,000, one for $16,000 and one for $10,000, he said, noting the scammers claim a grandson is in jail at a certain US location and in need of a cash bond. "The caller then put a young male on the phone who purported to be their grandson and most likely a coincidence, sounded like their grandson. The original person then returned to the phone as a purported jail staff member and advised the elderly folks to 'Overnight Cash', via one of the two major US shipping companies provided, to a personal address in the Bronx section of New York City," Watts said. He suggests elderly citizens unsure of how to properly handle possible scammers to have a family member or other trusted person assist in handling the matter. There are community resources and services, as well, available to assist seniors. Criminals oftentimes use information easily found online to obtain family information, addresses and phone numbers, to target victims. "Remember, if it sounds too good to be true or bizarre in nature (like mailing cash overnight) it probably is a scam," Watts said. The Sullivan County scam case investigations are ongoing. Contact ISP Master Trooper Polly Blackburn or Trooper Justin Bell at the Putnamville Post 765-653-4114. Comments are closed.
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Lucy Perry
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